Adventure Description

In 1984, Universal Studios donated money for the construction of the Universal City Overlook. The Summer Olympics took place in Los Angeles that year, and this was one of two overlooks built for the occasion, the other being the Hollywood Bowl Overlook. They are both situated along the renowned Mulholland Scenic Parkway and Corridor, a 55-mile thoroughfare that stretches between the Hollywood Freeway and the western L.A. City-County boundary.

The corridor’s purpose is to provide access to the ocean and the mountains for people residing in urban areas, and it has been a picturesque route to those destinations since 1924. There are seven overlooks along the corridor that provide visitors with panoramic views of the greater Los Angeles area. The overlooks are maintained by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, a group that has preserved more than 72,000 acres of urban and wild parkland since 1980. They work with like-minded groups to obtain and protect Southern Californian land that can be accessed by the public.

From the Universal City Overlook, you can clearly see the San Fernando Valley, the San Gabriel Mountains, the Verdugo Hills, and Universal City. John Travolta’s first house is also visible as it lies below the overlook. While the view is stunning during the day, some may prefer to stop by after dark. On the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve, many people flock to Universal City Overlook to watch the firework displays with downtown Los Angeles lit up in the background. Just keep in mind that the overlook officially closes at 9 p.m. For visitors seeking a breathtaking view of the city, this is the perfect spot to take in the sights of L.A. without having to trek up a mountain on foot.